How to Sound Like an Expert at Sunday’s Super Bowl 50 Party

This year’s Super Bowl has everything it needs to make it one unforgettable night. And we’re not talking about the commercials. This year’s game between the almost undefeated Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos—who made it all the way to the top despite an injured star quarterback—will be a matchup worth watching. And that’s to say nothing of the fact that it’s the big Super Bowl 50. It’s a huge milestone for the NFL, and they’re certainly pulling out all of the stops to make it an event to remember, including what promises to be an epic halftime show: Coldplay and Queen B herself—that’s right, Beyoncé—will take the stage. But if you’re feeling a bit behind on your football stats (or halftime show intel), don’t fret: Here are the talking points you’ll need to impress any partygoer this Sunday.

When and WhereLevi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California; Sunday, February 7, at 6:30 p.m. on CBS

The TeamsFrom the NFC: the Carolina Panthers (15–1). The Panthers would have had a perfect record if not for a little upset by the Atlanta Falcons toward the end of the regular season. But this team has proved over and over again that they deserve to be here. They are the current favorite to win it all, which would be a first for the franchise. This is only the Panthers’s second time in the Super Bowl. They lost to the New England Patriots in 2004.

From the AFC: the Denver Broncos (12–4). This franchise is no stranger to the Super Bowl. The team has been seven times, with back-to-back wins during Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII. The 2015 team has had quite the season full of injuries, including to their star quarterback, Peyton Manning. But despite playing with a backup QB, the Broncos proved they were to be taken seriously with a first-place seed in the AFC.

The QuarterbacksThis matchup is a perfect example of new versus old guard. Cam Newton, from the Carolina Panthers, has the opportunity to win football’s version of an EGOT—a national championship with the Auburn Tigers in 2011, a Heisman trophy, potentially a Super Bowl ring, and the possibility of a league MVP award. Many doubted his abilities when he entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick, but here he is, five years later, leading his team to the Super Bowl and charming his way into America’s heart one touchdown at a time. When the Panthers score, Newton takes the ball and gives it to a child in the stands, despite the best efforts of opposing players. He has certainly proven himself this season to be a great player, now we just need to see if he shows up on the big stage.

Peyton Manning spent most of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, but has been with the Broncos since 2012, and is considered one of the best quarterbacks of all time. He had foot and rib injuries this season—which resulted in him being the backup quarterback for the first time since he was a freshman in college—but during the last game of the season, he returned to help the Broncos clinch first in the AFC and a first-round bye during the play-offs. And with that, Peyton was back. Unfortunately for Manning, he is currently battling a media storm of accusations of using a banned prescription several years ago when he was recovering from an injury. There are also rumors floating around that this could be his last season and retirement is on the way. Let’s hope that all of this doesn’t impact his performance on Sunday, because this quarterback matchup is bound to be intense.

Other Key PlayersThe quarterbacks tend to get all of the attention, but they are definitely not the only players to keep an eye on this Sunday. The Panthers offense has been unstoppable this season, with an average of 31.3 points per game this season, and racking up more than 80 points in their two play-off wins. Keep an eye out for tight end Greg Olsen and wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr., helping Cam Newton to keep that momentum up. On the defensive side of the ball they have linebacker Luke Kuechly, who lead the NFL in tackles in 2012 and 2014. Expect to hear the stands chant his name, “Luuukkeee,” when he has a good play.

With Carolina’s tough offense, it is a good thing the Broncos have arguably the best pass rushers in the NFL with DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller. Ware and Miller will definitely be giving Cam Newton a lot of pressure—which will be a very interesting matchup. Another key Broncos player to keep an eye on? The kicker. Yes. The kicker. Rarely is the kicker thought of as a key player because they come on the field for so few plays each game, but the Broncos’s Brandon McManus made all seven of his play-off field goal attempts, including two, from more than 50 yards out. If the Super Bowl comes down to a last-minute field goal attempt, the Broncos are in good hands.

The Halftime ShowThat’s enough football talk. Let’s get on to the real event of the evening—the halftime show. Coldplay will perform with Beyoncé, and “Hymn for the Weekend” is bound to be one of the songs we’ll hear. But for Super Bowl 50, we would bet on other surprise performers making appearances. Here’s to hoping the left shark comes back.

Bonus RoundNow that you have the basics of the night down, here are a few facts that will surely get you the extra point to win the game.

The only time Cam Newton and the Panthers have played Peyton Manning and the Broncos was in 2012. The Broncos won 36–14.

Normally, Super Bowls are denoted with Roman numerals and have been since Super Bowl V in 1971. But this year, the NFL announced this was to be Super Bowl 50, not Super Bowl L. But don’t worry; the Roman numerals will be back next year with Super Bowl LI.

The Super Bowl ads are said to be up to $5 million for a 30-second slot. This beats Super Bowl XLIX, which had a base price of $4.5 million.

The age difference between Cam Newton, 26, and Peyton Manning, 39, is 13 years, 48 days—the largest gap in Super Bowl history.